Courageous Young Rape Victim Speaks Out After Pictures of Her Assault Go Viral (VIDEO)

It’s a gut-wrenching story that is every parent’s worst nightmare. Their teenage daughter goes to a party where she thinks kids are just going to be hanging out. Instead, her drink is spiked, she passes out and wakes up not knowing she’s been sexually assaulted until photos of her naked body are posted online.

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This is exactly what happened to a 16-year-old Houston teen who only figured out she’d been drugged and raped at a party when photos and videos of the assault and her naked body appeared online. Adding insult to assault, the teen’s peers then mercilessly shared and reposted the photos of the girl’s naked body.

Instead of hiding and feeling ashamed though, the girl, named Jada, gave an interview to KHOU, a local news station, and identified herself as the victim. “There's no point in hiding,” she said. “Everybody has already seen my face and my body, but that's not what I am and who I am.” And while some her peers continue to share the horrific videos and photos, others have reached out to offer support. Houston police are quoted as saying they are investigating Jada’s claims.

When I read a story like this, I can’t help but think of my own daughter. Still young, she’s someday going to be old enough to go to parties, and I’ll have to let her. I can only imagine what Jada’s parents went through when learning of their daughter’s plight. And as if high school isn’t difficult enough, this young girl has to endure being victimized over and over again by peers who somehow see photos of a sexual assault as entertainment.

But what’s amazing about the story is that this girl, who is only 16-years-old, had the confidence not to hide, not to feel ashamed, and to step forward to warn others. Because the truth of the matter is, whomever this predator is that assaulted her, is the one who should be ashamed. And whoever took photos of her being raped, instead of helping her avoid the assault, should be ashamed. And the peers who shared and forwarded and re-posted the photos should be ashamed. But this innocent girl, who didn’t deserve any of this, she has nothing to be ashamed of. Kudos to her for knowing this at such a young age.

Would you want your daughter to speak out like this if she was in this situation?